Hidden WordPress Optimization Tips You Probably Didn’t Know

WordPress optimization often revolves around common practices like caching, image compression, and installing popular SEO plugins. But if you want to truly maximize your website’s performance, you need to dig deeper. Here are some lesser-known but highly effective tips to make your WordPress site faster, leaner, and more efficient.

1. Disable Default Emojis

WordPress loads emoji scripts by default, even if your site doesn’t use them. This adds unnecessary load to your pages.

Solution: Add this code snippet to your functions.php file:


Copied!remove_action('wp_head', 'print_emoji_detection_script', 7);
remove_action('wp_print_styles', 'print_emoji_styles');
remove_action('wp_head', 'print_emoji_detection_script', 7);
remove_action('wp_print_styles', 'print_emoji_styles');

Alternatively, use a plugin like Disable Emojis.

2. Limit Post Revisions

Each time you update a post, WordPress saves a revision. Over time, this can bloat your database.

Solution: Set a limit on the number of revisions WordPress keeps by adding this to your wp-config.php file:


Copied!define('WP_POST_REVISIONS', 5);
define('WP_POST_REVISIONS', 5);

Or disable revisions altogether with:


Copied!define('WP_POST_REVISIONS', false);
define('WP_POST_REVISIONS', false);

3. Safely Use SVGs

SVGs are perfect for scalable icons and logos, but WordPress doesn’t support them natively due to security risks.

Solution: Install a plugin like Safe SVG to upload SVGs securely. Make sure to sanitize SVG files before uploading to avoid malicious code.

4. Lazy Load Iframes

While WordPress automatically lazy loads images, it doesn’t do the same for iframes like embedded YouTube videos.

Solution: Use a plugin like WP YouTube Lyte, or manually enable lazy loading for iframes with this code:


Copied!add_filter('embed_oembed_html', 'add_lazy_loading_to_iframes');
function add_lazy_loading_to_iframes($html) {
    return str_replace('<iframe loading=lazy></iframe>
add_filter('embed_oembed_html', 'add_lazy_loading_to_iframes');
function add_lazy_loading_to_iframes($html) {
    return str_replace('<iframe', '<iframe loading="lazy"', $html);
}

5. Leverage Transients for Caching

Transients provide temporary storage in your database, ideal for reducing repetitive queries or external API requests.

Example:


Copied!$data = get_transient('example_transient');
if (false === $data) {
    $data = expensive_function();
    set_transient('example_transient', $data, 12 * HOUR_IN_SECONDS);
}
echo $data;
$data = get_transient('example_transient');
if (false === $data) {
    $data = expensive_function();
    set_transient('example_transient', $data, 12 * HOUR_IN_SECONDS);
}
echo $data;

This approach improves load times by reducing redundant processing.

6. Implement Critical CSS

Critical CSS ensures that above-the-fold content is styled immediately, improving perceived load time.

Solution: Use tools like Critical CSS Generator to extract essential styles and include them inline in your <head> section.

7. Optimize the REST API

WordPress’s REST API can deliver unnecessary data to your front-end, slowing things down.

Solution: Restrict API access for non-logged-in users:


Copied!add_filter('rest_authentication_errors', function ($result) {
    if (!is_user_logged_in()) {
        return new WP_Error('rest_forbidden', __('REST API is disabled for guests.'), array('status' => 401));
    }
    return $result;
});
add_filter('rest_authentication_errors', function ($result) {
    if (!is_user_logged_in()) {
        return new WP_Error('rest_forbidden', __('REST API is disabled for guests.'), array('status' => 401));
    }
    return $result;
});

Or use the Disable REST API plugin for complete control.

8. Replace wp_cron() with a Server Cron Job

The default WordPress cron system (wp_cron()) relies on website traffic to trigger tasks, which can be unreliable.

Solution: Disable it in your wp-config.php:


Copied!define('DISABLE_WP_CRON', true);
define('DISABLE_WP_CRON', true);

Then create a real cron job on your server to run at regular intervals:


Copied!*/5 * * * * php /path/to/wordpress/wp-cron.php
*/5 * * * * php /path/to/wordpress/wp-cron.php

9. Remove Unused Gutenberg Styles

If you don’t use Gutenberg blocks in your theme or posts, the associated styles are unnecessary.

Solution: Add this to your functions.php file to dequeue the block library styles:


Copied!add_action('wp_enqueue_scripts', function() {
    wp_dequeue_style('wp-block-library');
}, 100);
add_action('wp_enqueue_scripts', function() {
    wp_dequeue_style('wp-block-library');
}, 100);

10. Use DNS Prefetch and Preconnect

Speed up loading of external resources (like Google Fonts or API calls) with DNS prefetching and preconnect.

Solution: Add this to your <head> section:


Copied!<link rel=dns-prefetch href=//fonts.googleapis.com>
<link rel=preconnect href=https://fonts.googleapis.com crossorigin>
<link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//fonts.googleapis.com">
<link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com" crossorigin>

Conclusion

Optimizing your WordPress site goes beyond the basics. By implementing these lesser-known tips, you can significantly improve your site’s performance, load times, and overall user experience. Test each change thoroughly, and watch your site soar to new heights!

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